2016 was a big year for developments in Canberra.
As Canberrans await more information about the transformation of our major corridor, Northbourne Avenue, a number of suburban hubs are already bracing for major shake-ups.
A range of precincts and towers are set to drastically change our city’s landscape in the coming years with the lodgement of numerous development applications and the progression of projects closer to completion.
From a sky-high restaurant to a pyramid-inspired structure, we’ve collated the top five spots set for the most dramatic changes.
An artist’s impression of the view from the pool at Gungahlin’s Infinity Towers. Photo: Geocon
Fine dining 26 storeys above ground and a six-storey-high infinity pool are among the big features set to shape residential living in the Gungahlin Town Centre.
There’s a string of approved and proposed mult-unit projects slated for the evolving region’s rising skyline.
One of the projects set to make the biggest impact is Geocon’s Infinity Towers, which will become one of Canberra’s highest residential building developments and feature a sixth-storey sky park with an infinity pool overlooking Yerrabi Pond.
An artist’s impression of Empire Global’s proposed 26-storey development. Photo: Nathan Gibson Judd Architect
The other game-changer could pip Infinity Towers in height. In November developer Empire Global revealed plans for two 26-storey towers, connected by a top-floor, publicly accessibly podium encompassing two high-end restaurants, a function centre and more.
Republic, Canberra’s largest mixed-use precinct, will be built over the next 10 years. Photo: Barry Anderson
High-rise development isn’t new in Belconnen but in June Geocon decided to turn things up a notch, revealing early plans for a mixed-use precinct bigger than the popular NewActon precinct.
The decade-long project, named Republic, will feature Canberra’s tallest building, the city’s first glass towers and a 130-room hotel.
The town centre development consists of three buildings, the tallest capped at 27 storeys, on 1.6 hectares near Lake Ginninderra.
It’s the latest project for Fender Katsalidis Architects, the architectural firm behind NewActon, Melbourne’s Eureka Skydeck and MONA in Hobart.
An amphitheatre, urban park, food market hall, gastro pub, public viewing platform and 1300 apartments are on the cards.
Southport is a new resort-style development coming to Southquay in Greenway. Photo: Geocon
Gungahlin is often maligned for taking attention away from Canberra’s original “nappy valley”, Tuggeranong.
Greenway’s Southquay precinct on the shores of Lake Tuggeranong represents a complete overhaul, with a string of mixed-use commercial and residential projects and multi-unit buildings set to activate the lake and the town centre.
Yet again, one of the big players is Geocon with its distinct resort-style development, Southport, complete with pools and a 200-square-metre gym.
Essence is another, offering a boutique 62-unit development by the water, alongside an array of other projects.
An artist’s impression of Yamaroshi in Braddon. Photo: Nathan Gibson Judd Architect
Braddon is already alive with striking buildings but existing hubs such as Mode 3 and Ori are only the beginning.
Mr Braddon aka the developer largely responsible for the inner north suburb’s trendy transformation, Nik Bulum, has more in store.
Arguably the most distinct new project is Nibu (image at the top of this article), a pyramid-inspired structure slated for bustling Lonsdale Street.
Its impact will continue after dark with Nathan Gibson Judd Architect designing an angular building that will glow like a lantern at night.
The Japanese-inspired Yamaroshi is another Bulum development which is set to enliven the adjacent Mort Street.
An artist impression of the Greenwich Park development slated for Campbell 5. Photo: Supplied
Another suburb set for a shake-up is Campbell.
The evolving Campbell 5 precinct is set to become a village within a suburb, bringing higher-density living and more retail to the central inner north location.
The progressive neighbourhood has been marketed on innovation, with sustainable building design and an electric car share initiative on the cards, as well as the broader aim of fostering a sense of community. Parkland and vertical gardens will also feature.
Three worldy projects have been released so far: Saint Germain, Greenwich Park and Koben.